Gas apparatus.



PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905.

C. G. STRUBLER. GAS APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 4. 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR CHARLEJ- G 'JTRUBLEE PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905.

C. G. STRUBLER.

GAS APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. 1903.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

m B U R E m. A WU L R A H C No. 781,691. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905. G. G.STRUBLER.

GAS APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 4. 1903.

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IIIIII IIIIIIII ARLEJ- .uTRz/BLER- UNITED STATES Patented February '7,1905.

PATENT EEicE.

CHARLES G. STRUBLER, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSlH-lOlt OF ONE- HALF TOGEORGE H. PAINE, OF DETROIT, MIUI'IIGAN.

GAS APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent iii 0. 781,691, datedFebruary '7, 1905.

Application filed May 4,1903. Serial No. 155,650.

To all [rim/1t it 'HI/(LIJ concern:

Be it known that I, (Jrmnnns Ur. STRUBLER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in GasApparatus, of which the followingisaspecitication, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to gas apparatuses of that type in which a liquidhydrocarbon is first vaporized by heat and then commingled with air toform a combustible gas.

It is one of the objects of the invention to obtain a construction ofvapor generator which will have increased capacity without increasingthe size.

It is a further object to provide a safety appliance whereby the vaporis automatically shut off upon an abnormal operation of thegenerating-burner; further, to provide a combined governor and indicatoror gage, and, further. to provide a peculiar construction, arrangement,and combination of parts,as hereinafter set forth.

in the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus. Fig. 2is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an end elevation showing theair-commingling tubes in section. Fig. i is a section through thegoverning-valve. Fig. 5 is a section through the vapor-generator. Fig. 6is a section through the shut-off valve for one of theconnningling-tubes. Fig. 7 is a section of the controllingwalve for theinitial generator. Fig. 8 is a sectional perspective view of theburner-ring for the vaporgenerator. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of acombined governor and gage. Fig. 10 is a crosssection therethrough, andFigs. 11 and 12 are respectively rear and front elevations thereof.

In general construction the apparatus comprises a reservoir for theliquid hydrocarbon, which, as shown, comprises two cylindrical tanks A,arranged side by side in a horizontal plane and supported by suitablestandards B.

C represents the generators, which are preferably arranged at one end ofthe tank A and connected thereto at the top and bottom, respectively, bythe conduits D and E. l prefing the enlargement 0, also closed.

crably employ two of the generators (,3, each of which consists of acylinder a, having its axis arranged vertically, being closed at thelower end by cap I) and at its upper end hav- \Vithin this cylinder isplaced suitable capillary material for raising the liquid hydrocarlxm,this being preferably formed by wicking (Z, the arrangement being suchthat the liquid conveyed to the cylinder 1/ from the tank A through theconduit D will be elevated by the wicking regardless of the level of oilin the tank. The vapor is generated within the cylinder u by means of anannular vapor-burner F, which surrounds said cylinder. As the quantityof vapor generated is proportional to the heat developed by this burner,it is desirable to obtain as great a heating effect as possible, and atthe same time it is necessary to control and regulate the heat as willbe hereinafter set forth. I therefore devised the construction of doubleburner having vapor-orifices at both top and bottom, thereby doublingthe heating effect produced by a single burner. Thisspecilicconstruction of this burner is preferably as follows: (2 is a ringhaving at top and bottom the inwardly-projecting flanges f and f and atits center the outwardly-projecting enlargement 7. The flanges f and fare adapted to lit around the cylinder (I, so as to form an inclosedannular chamber la within the ring. The vapor-oritices Z are formed,preferably, by kerling the flangesfandf", the kerfs extending throughsaid flanges and some distance into the ring. Bands j are then placedupon the ring to cover the kerfs in the periphery of the ring, saidbands preferably having a screw-threaded engagement with the ring. \Vhen thus constructed, the vapor within the ring is free to pass outwardat the top and bottom through the kerf but is prevented from passingradially outward by the bands j. The enlarged upper end a of thegenerator forms a vaporchamber which is connected to the conduit 1leading back to the upper end of the tank. The vapor-chambers of the twogenerators are preferably cross-connected by a conduit G and each isconnected with a jet-nozzle ll, controlled by the valve I. Thesejet-nozzles are upwardly directed, being arranged in axial alinementwith the commingl'ing-tubes' J and J, which tubes are connected throughthe yoke K with the service-pipe L. The lower ends of the tubes J arealso cross-connected by the air-supply conduit M, which has a pluralityof downwardly-extending air-inlet pipes N.

O is a conduit connecting with the commingling-tube J and extendingdownward therefrom, its lower end being connected through thecross-conduit P with each of the burners F.

ith the construction of parts as thus far described it will beunderstood that the liquid hydrocarbon in the tanks A will be fedthrough the conduits D into the vapor-generators and whenever theburners F of said generator are in operation the liquid will bevaporized, passing upward into the chamber 0 and being distributedtherefrom to the tanks A and jet-nozzles H. From the latter jets ofvapor will be directed upward into the commingling-tubes J and J, inwhich the vapor is commingled with the air drawn in through the conduitM and inlet connections N. Commingled air and vapor will thus passupward into the servicepipe L and aportion of vapor will also passdownward through the conduit O and crossconnection P to supplycombustible gas to the burners F.

Uniform pressure is maintained in the vapor-generators and within thetanks A by means of a governor which automatically controls the supplyof gas to the burners F, so as to turn down the flame whenever thepressure is excessive and turned up when the pressure is reduced belowthe abnormal point. This governor comprises a valve Q, arranged in theconduit O, and an actuating device for said valve operable byfluid-pressure. The automatic regulator is intended to maintain uniformpressure of vapor in the tanks and generators; but as a matter ofprecaution a gage or indicator is employed by which the pressure on thesystem may be determined. One of the features of my invention is aconstruction by which this indicator or gage and the actuating devicefor the valve Q are combined in a single mechanism, which is constructedas follows: his a casing upon which is arranged the expansible segmentaltube Z, operated by the fluid-pressure. One end of this tube isconnected through the conduit m with the vapor-space of one of the tanksA. The other end of the tube Zis closed and is connected with the linksa and 0. The link a is connected at its opposite end with a lever 12,the opposite end of which is provided with a segmental rack q, engagingwith the pinion 7' upon the axially-arranged arbor 5'. One end of thisarbor projects outward through the dial 6, forming the front of the caseA, and is connected with the index-hand u.

(/2 is a coil-spring connected to'the arbor .5:

and serving to return the hand to normal position.

The parts just described together constitute a well-known type of gageby which the fluidpressure communicated to the tube Z will cause amovement of the link a and lever 19 to revolve the arbor s and indicatethe pressure on the dial 2/. The link 0 is connected to a lever w, whichis fulcrumed at w upon the casing k. The'outer end of this lever formsan adjustable stop for supporting the rockarm which is attached to therock-stem i of the valve Q. The valve Q is adapted to drop to its seatby gravity, but'it is normally held from so doing by the resting of therock-arm w on the lever w. Whenever the pressure in the tank isincreased and is communicated to the segment Z, the lever w will berocked through the medium of the link 0 and permit the closing'of thevalve Q, to a greater or less extent. As a consequence the supply of gasto the burners F will be diminished, which will reduce the generation ofvapor and bring about a reduction of pressure in the tank.

The generators O are first started in operation by means of an initialheating-burner R and any suitable air-pumping device, such as indicatedat S, by which an initial air-pressure is formed within the tanks. Theair pumped into the tank by the pump-S will commingle with the vapor ofthe hydrocarbon within thetank, so that when the valve R of the burner Ris opened a combustible mixture of air and vapor will pass from thetank, through the conduit R into the burner, which extends intoproximity to one of the generators O. This will cause the heating ofsaid generator until suificient vapor is generated to supply the burnerF. In starting the apparatus all of the parts are cold, and only a smallflame from the burner R can be used to advantage. As the generator Cbecomes partially heated a larger flame from the burner R'may be used,and this may be gradually increased in volume until the generator isthoroughly heated.

As has been stated, the combustible gas for the burner R is firstsupplied through the conduit R and consists of the air pumped into thetank, commingled with vapor of the hydrocarbon within said tank. As thetank is usually nearly full when the apparatus is started, only a smallamount of air may be stored above the. liquid hydrocarbon, and it istherefore necessary to continue the pumping until sufficient vapor isgenerated to maintain the pressure. When this occurs, the vapor passesfrom the generator O through the conduit E into the tank above theliquid.

It will be evident that the character of the gaseous mixture within thetank A will gradually change, as in the first instance it contains alarge proportion of air; but after the generation of vapor commences anincreasingly larger percentage of vapor is supplied through the conduitR to the burner R. This requires the commingling of a larger percentageof air with the vapor in the burner R to produce the proper flame. Ihave therefore devised a construction of initial burner in which theproportion of air and vapor is antomatically changed by opening thevalve controlling the vapor-jet, the construction being preferably asfollows: R is the tube of the burner R, in which the jet controlled bythe needle-valve R is directed. This tube has an air-orifice R formedtherein, which is normally closed or restricted by a plug R This plug,as shown, is formed by a screw engaging with one end of a lever I theopposite end of which is curved to engage with an inner face of a coneIt on the stem of the valve It. It is a spring for normally holding thelever in position where the plug restricts the aperture It. In operationwhen the valve h closed the orifice R" is also closed; but upon theopening of the valve R the outward movement of the cone R on the stem ofthe valve will actuate the lever B", so as to gradually withdraw theplug R" and open the orifice It". The result will be that the greaterthe quantity of vapor issuing from the jet controlled by the valve R thelarger will be the quantity of air admitted to the orifice R commingledwith said vapor.

\Yhere the gas is used forilluminating puroses, the demand on theapparatus varies according to the number of lights in use at one time.Thus when a small number of lights are burning the necessary vapor maybe easily produced by one of the generators C; but for the full capacityof the machine both generators must be in operation. I therefore providemeans for using either one or both of the generators, and to this end avalve J is placed in the commingler J, by which said commingler may cutoff from the service connection L. \Yhen this valve is closed, thecommingler J alone may be used by opening the jet-valve I for directingvapor therein, which will be commingled with the air and forced into theservice-pipe L. ithout the valve J the commingled air and vapor wouldpass backward through the commingling-tube J and would again be drawninto the commingler J. The quantity of gas supplied to the service-pipeL may also be regulated by adjustment of the valve I to open or closethe jetnozxle II to a greater or less extent. WVhenever additionallights are turned on, the valve I should be correspondingly adjusted,and, on the other hand, whenever lights are turned off the valve shouldbe partially closed to diminish the vapor-jet. If this latter adjustmentis not made, the excessive quantity of vapor generated and which isprevented from escaping through the service-pipe L will be forcedbackward through the conduit 0, resulting in increasing the flame in theburners F. Should the quantity of vapor generated be very greatly inexcess of the amount consumed, it might even be forced back through theair-inlet conduit i\[ and downwardly-extending pipes N. so as to escapein the room.

The results above set forth could only occur in a case of greatcarelessness on the part of the operator; but to prevent the possibilityof such an accident I have devised an automatic shut-off which willclose the vapor-valve jet I before any escape of vapor can take place.As shown, this consists of a spring-actuated closing device for thevalve, which is tripped or released by an abnormal increase of the flamein one of the burners F. I may, however, employ other means than thespecific construction shown, the essential feature of my improvementbeing that the valve is antomatically operated by an abnormal increaseof vapor generated. In the construction shown the stem of the valve 1has secured thereto the handle-arm I", by means of which it may berotated to open or close the valve. T is a stop for the handle I, whichis connected to a revoluble head T, surrounding the valve-stem. Thishead is connected to a tor' sional spring U, which tends to revolve thehead in a direction to close the valve I by the engagement of the stop Twith the handle I. The stop T is normally held in fixed position againstthe tension of the spring U by a lock consisting of the bell-crank leverV, one arm of which extends into the path of a lug T on the head T. Theopposite arm of the bellcrank V is connected with a link \V, whichextends vertically in proximity to the burner F and has a section X,formed of fusible metal. With this construction whenever the flame ofthe burner F is abnormally increased the link TV will be severed by thefusing of the link X, with the result that the spring U will revolve thehead T and the stop T, thereby turning the handle I until the valve isclosed.

What I claim as my invention is 1. In a gas apparatus, the combinationwith a retort, of a burner surrounding said retort and having orificesat opposite ends thereof arranged to direct the flame against the wallsof said retort on opposite sides of said bu rncr.

2. In a gas apparatus, the combination with a vertical cylindricalretort of an annular burner surrounding said retort having orifices attop and bottom thereof arranged to direct the flame upwardly anddownwardly against the walls of said retort.

3. The combination with a retort, of a grooved ring surrounding saidretort and kerfed at its opposite ends to form vapor-orifices thereinand a band surrounding said ring and closing the kerfs in the peripherythereof.

a. In a gas apparatus, the combination with a retort, of a grooved ringsurrounding said retort and kerfed at one end and a band hav ing ascrew-threaded engagement with the periphery of said ring and closingthe kerfs in the periphery thereof.

5. In a gas apparatus, the combination of a generator, of aservice-conduit supplied thereby, a burner supplied from saidservice-conduit, a shut-off for the supply from said generator to saidservice-conduit, mechanism for automatically operating said shut-offnormally locked from operation and means for unlocking said mechanismupon an abnormal increase of flame in said burner.

6. In a gas apparatus, the combination with the generator andaservice-conduit, of a valve controlling the vapor-supply to saidserviceconduit from said generator, said valve being adapted to be setin various positions of adjustment, a burner for said generator suppliedfrom said service-conduit and means for closing said valve from any ofits positions of adjustment, said means operatingautomatically upon anabnormal increase of flame in said burner.

7 In a gas apparatus, the combination with a generator, aservice-conduit supplied thereby and a burner for said generatorsupplied from said service-conduit, of a needle-valve controlling thevapor-supply from said generator to said conduit, a lever for operatingsaid valve, an arm arranged to rotate about the axis of the valve andhaving a lug projecting into the path of said lever, a tension devicefor operating said arm, a lock for holding said arm from movement andmeans for disengaging said look upon an abnormal increase of flame insaid burner.

8. In a gas apparatus, the combination ofa generator, a supply-tanktherefor, of means for developing an air-pressu re within said tankabove the hydrocarbon therein, a burner for initially heating saidgenerator comprising a vapor-jet nozzle connected with the air-spacewithin said tank, a valve controlling the said vapor-jet nozzle within amixing-tube into which said jet is directed and a valve controlling theair-supply in said mixing-tube automatically operated by the operationof said vapor-valve.

9. In a gas apparatus, the combination with a retort, of a grooved ringsurrounding said retort and kerfed at one end, and a band upon the ring,olosingthe kerfs in the sides thereof. In testimony whereof I affix mysignature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES G. S'IRUBLER. Witnesses:

J AS. P. BARRY, Rosa LEONE MORGAN.

